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Saturday, Feb 22, 2025
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Lau the dark horse as closely run Jockey Club election race kicks off
Some 200 Jockey Club voting members will decide who will be the odd one out with eight candidates jostling for seven seats in a rare election race for the board of stewards next month.
That was the situation after nominations closed yesterday.
Sources said unlike cool and calm uncontested elections in previous years this time there will be a field of eight candidates, with four candidates seeking re-election and the other four, including dark horse Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, vying for three seats to replace retiring stewards.
It is understood voting members will be given a list of eight names, from which they will have to choose seven on voting day - September 8.
Word is that the four stewards seeking re-election - Executive Council member and legislator Martin Liao Cheong-kong, 64, former PwC Asia Pacific chairman Silas Yang Siu-chun, 66, KPMG regional senior partner in Hong Kong and vice chairman in China Andrew Weir, 58, and M+ Museum board chairman Bernard Charnwut Chan, 57 - look likely to win at this stage.
So the hard running to the line will be left for newcomers: Anita Fung Yuen-mei, 61, a former HSBC Hong Kong chief executive, Ann Kung Yeung Yun-chi, 60, a former deputy chief executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong), solicitor Jackson Woo Ka-biu, 60, and Executive Council member, legislator and New Territories rural leader Kenneth Lau, 56.
Members will decide whether to give Lau a placing while the three other newbies have been recommended by deputy chairman Michael Lee Tze-hau.
The 60-year-old Lee from the tycoon family owning property giant Hysan is expected to succeed incumbent chairman Philip Chen Nan-lok, who is retiring from the 12-strong board.
In a letter to over 200 voting members two weeks ago, Lee described Fung, Kung and Woo as "three people who the board thinks will make valuable contributions," but he left Lau's name out.
The board of stewards is elected for a three-year term during which they work on a voluntary basis to develop and oversee the club's strategy and direction.
They usually have strong business and public service backgrounds besides being racing enthusiasts.
It is usual practice to have two female stewards among the 12 and have a finely balanced number of heavyweights from various backgrounds including cultural, banking and accounting.
This could mean Fung and Kung will be shoo-ins as they are women, leaving Woo and Lau to battle it out.
But an insider said there have been counter-arguments among voting members whether it is necessary to keep the traditions of the board composition, raising new uncertainties in the race.
The Jockey Club has yet to announce details of candidates, but it is understood a list of names will be unveiled on Monday.
Sources said unlike cool and calm uncontested elections in previous years this time there will be a field of eight candidates, with four candidates seeking re-election and the other four, including dark horse Kenneth Lau Ip-keung, vying for three seats to replace retiring stewards.
It is understood voting members will be given a list of eight names, from which they will have to choose seven on voting day - September 8.
Word is that the four stewards seeking re-election - Executive Council member and legislator Martin Liao Cheong-kong, 64, former PwC Asia Pacific chairman Silas Yang Siu-chun, 66, KPMG regional senior partner in Hong Kong and vice chairman in China Andrew Weir, 58, and M+ Museum board chairman Bernard Charnwut Chan, 57 - look likely to win at this stage.
So the hard running to the line will be left for newcomers: Anita Fung Yuen-mei, 61, a former HSBC Hong Kong chief executive, Ann Kung Yeung Yun-chi, 60, a former deputy chief executive of Bank of China (Hong Kong), solicitor Jackson Woo Ka-biu, 60, and Executive Council member, legislator and New Territories rural leader Kenneth Lau, 56.
Members will decide whether to give Lau a placing while the three other newbies have been recommended by deputy chairman Michael Lee Tze-hau.
The 60-year-old Lee from the tycoon family owning property giant Hysan is expected to succeed incumbent chairman Philip Chen Nan-lok, who is retiring from the 12-strong board.
In a letter to over 200 voting members two weeks ago, Lee described Fung, Kung and Woo as "three people who the board thinks will make valuable contributions," but he left Lau's name out.
The board of stewards is elected for a three-year term during which they work on a voluntary basis to develop and oversee the club's strategy and direction.
They usually have strong business and public service backgrounds besides being racing enthusiasts.
It is usual practice to have two female stewards among the 12 and have a finely balanced number of heavyweights from various backgrounds including cultural, banking and accounting.
This could mean Fung and Kung will be shoo-ins as they are women, leaving Woo and Lau to battle it out.
But an insider said there have been counter-arguments among voting members whether it is necessary to keep the traditions of the board composition, raising new uncertainties in the race.
The Jockey Club has yet to announce details of candidates, but it is understood a list of names will be unveiled on Monday.
